Dynamic 3d object recognition and printing

ABSTRACT

Three-dimensional (3D) object manufacturing systems and methods are operable to manufacture printed 3D objects corresponding to user-selected physical objects of interest shown in a media content event that have been viewed by a user, wherein at least one 3D printer that is accessible by the user of the media device is operable to manufacture the printed 3D object corresponding to the viewed physical object of interest.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/244,767, filed Oct. 23, 2016, published as U.S.Publication No. 2018/0059631, entitled “DYNAMIC 3D OBJECT RECOGNITIONAND PRINTING,” and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,359,756 on Jul. 23, 2019,the content of which is herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

An emerging three dimensional (3D) printer technology provides for thecreation of physical objects based on predefined data. Such technologyis commonly referred to as 3D printing (or interchangeably referred toas additive manufacturing).

A 3D printing process employs a computer controlled system that createsa physical printed 3D object based on 3D printable model datarepresenting the shape and appearance of the physical object ofinterest. That is, a 3D model is definable by 3D printable model datathat can be used by a 3D printer to manufacture a printed 3D objectcorresponding to a physical object of interest.

The 3D printable model data may be defined using a stereo lithography(STL) format, or using another suitable 3D model data format now knownor later developed. The 3D printable model data may be created using acomputer aided design (CAD) system. Alternatively, the 3D printablemodel data may be generated from captured image data acquired by ascanner 3D system, a 3D digital image capture device (e.g., a digitalcamera), and/or a series of captured images that provide a series ofdifferent views of the object of interest (such that the 3D printablemodel data can be determined).

A variety of printed 3D object generation technologies, now known orlater developed, may be used by a 3D printer device or system(generically referred to herein as a 3D printer). Non-limiting 3Dprinter technologies include, but are not limited to, extrusion systemssuch as fused deposition modeling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication(FFF), robocasting, stereo lithography (SLA), digital light processing(DLP), power bed and inkjet printing, electron-beam melting (EBM),selective laser melting (SLM), selective heat sintering (SLS), directmetal sintering (DMLS), laminated object manufacturing (LOM), directenergy deposition, and/or electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF). Avariety of material may be used to create a printed 3D object ofinterest, such as thermoplastics, rubber, photopolymers, molding clay,plastic powders, plastic films, ceramic powders, thermoplastic powders,metal, metal alloys, metal coils or even paper.

A printed 3D object of interest, or portions thereof, may be printedusing different colors and/or different materials. The materials mayeven be biologic (such as living tissues, cartilage or the like) or maybe medicines. The printed 3D object of interest may include one or moretypes of mechanical and/or electronic components that are operable toperform a particular task. Such components may be external componentsand/or may be internal components depending the particular designspecifications of the printed 3D object.

Often, 3D printers may be very complex and expensive manufacturingdevices and/or systems that are used by corporations, universities orother large sized entities. However, commercially available professionalgrade 3D printers, or even less complex lower cost 3D printers, are nowbecoming increasingly available to the public and/or small companies.Such 3D printers employ one, or a limited number, of materials and/orobject generation technologies. Because of their relatively smallersize, these 3D printers may be located at an office of a small business,at a residence of a user, or may even be portable.

In an entirely different technology space, media devices are configuredto present visually-based media content to a user. Exemplary mediadevices include, but are not limited to, electronic devices such as aset top box, a television, a computer system, a smart phone, a cellularphone with a display, a game system, or the like.

Presented media content may include still and/or video images, andoptionally audio content. The presented media content is a media contentevent, as defined herein, that presents theme-based visual and audiocontent to a user for their enjoyment and/or for informative purposes.Examples of such theme-based media content includes movies, films,serial programming, sporting events, documentaries, newscasts, religiousprograms, commercials (typically of short duration with advertisingcontent), video games, or the like. Serial programming may present acontinuing plot and/or theme, often with the same cast of actors, in asequential episode-by-episode basis that is available periodically.Advertisements, commercials or the like may be interspersed within themedia content event. However, such advertisements, commercials or thelike are also a media content event, though of a smaller duration than atypical theme-based media content event. In contrast, a web pageavailable from an internet site or the like presenting a choice ofphysical objects of interest for which printed 3D objects, 3D printablemodels, and/or 3D printable model data can be ordered and/or obtainedfrom is not a media content event as defined herein.

Such media content will present images of physical objects to theviewing user. On occasion, a particular presented physical object seenby the user in the presented media content may have one or morecorresponding 3D printable model data that could otherwise be used by a3D printer to generate a physical object corresponding to the presentedphysical object seen by the user.

In the event that the viewing user sees a particular physical objectpresented in the media content, and in the event that the user wouldlike to obtain a printed 3D object corresponding to the viewed object ofinterest, there simply is no practical way or convenient way for theuser to satisfy their need to obtain the printed 3D object. In manyinstances, the viewing user may not even be aware that 3D printablemodel data corresponding to the viewed physical object seen by the useris even available. Accordingly, there is a need in the arts to enable auser to obtain a printed 3D object of interest corresponding to apresented physical object seen by the user who is viewing media contenton their electronic device.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of manufacturing three-dimensional (3D) objects aredisclosed. The media content and 3D printing system is operable tomanufacture printed 3D objects corresponding to user-selected physicalobjects of interest shown in a presented media content event that havebeen viewed by a user, wherein at least one 3D printer that isaccessible by the user of the media device is operable to manufacturethe printed 3D object corresponding to the viewed physical object ofinterest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a media content and 3Dprinting system;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are conceptual graphical user interfaces that an exampleembodiment of the media content and 3D printing system presents to theuser;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual illustration of a data storage system that storesa plurality of different 3D printable model data for various printable3D objects; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the media content and 3D printing systemimplemented in, and that is operable to control, a media device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a media content and 3Dprinting system 100. A portion of the media content and 3D printingsystem 100 may be implemented in a user's electronic device. Toconceptually illustrate embodiments of the media content and 3D printingsystem 100, a media device 102, such as, but not limited to, a set topbox (STB) includes a portion of the media content and 3D printing system100. Embodiments of the media content and 3D printing system 100 may beimplemented in other electronic-based media devices, such as, but notlimited to, a television (TV), a digital video disc (DVD) player, adigital video recorder (DVR), a smart phone, a game playing device, or apersonal computer (PC) that is configured to receive and present mediacontent that include still or video images that are presented on adisplay device 104 (and/or on a display of the electronic device).

Portions of the media content and 3D printing system 100 are implementedat a remote site, hereinafter referred to as the remote 3D model site106. The remote 3D model site 106 is communicatively coupleable to aplurality of media devices 102 via a communication system 108.Communication links 110 may be established on an as-needed basis and/ormay be permanent communication links. The communication links 110 mayemploy wire-based connection and/or may employ wireless-basedtechnologies.

The communication system 108 is illustrated as a generic communicationsystem. In one embodiment, the communication system 108 comprises acellular telephone system, such as a radio frequency (RF) wirelesssystem. Accordingly, the media device 102 and the remote 3D model site106 include a suitable transceiver. Alternatively, the communicationsystem 108 may be a telephony system, the Internet, a Wi-fi system, amicrowave communication system, a fiber optics system, an intranetsystem, a local access network (LAN) system, an Ethernet system, a cablesystem, a radio frequency system, a cellular system, an infrared system,a satellite system, or a hybrid system comprised of multiple types ofcommunication media. Additionally, embodiments of the media device 102and/or the remote 3D model site 106 may be implemented to communicateusing other types of communication technologies, such as but not limitedto, digital subscriber loop (DSL), X.25, Internet Protocol (IP),Ethernet, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM). Also, embodiments of the media device 102 and/orthe remote 3D model site 106 may be configured to communicate overcombination systems having a plurality of segments which employdifferent formats for each segment of a communication link 110 thatemploy different technologies on each segment.

In practice, a particular media device 102 being operated by a user topresent media content receives a user request for a printed 3D object.The user's request is associated with, and/or identifies, a particularviewed object of interest that is shown as an image in the presentedmedia content. That is, the viewing user sees an image of a physicalobject of interest that they would like to obtain a correspondingprinted 3D object of. The media device 102 communicates an initial userrequest to the remote 3D model site 106. The initial user requestincludes information corresponding to a user's request obtain a printed3D object. The communicated information further includes at least anidentifier of the media device 102 and/or the identify of the user.Also, the communicated information includes information that is used bythe remote 3D model site 106 to identify the viewed physical object ofinterest.

In some embodiments, the initial user request identifies one or more ofthe 3D printers 112, 114 that the user has access to. Alternatively, oradditionally, the identifying information for the media device 102 maybe use to identify a local 3D printer 112 and/or one or more remote 3Dprinters 114 (referred generically herein as candidate 3D printers 112,114) that the user may use to manufacture a printed 3D object thatcorresponds to a viewed physical object of interest. Alternatively, oradditionally, the initial user request may include a list of candidate3D printers 112, 114 that the user prefers. Alternatively, oradditionally, a list of candidate 3D printers 112, 114 may have beenpreviously communicated to and stored at the remote 3D model site 106.The candidate 3D printers 112, 114 may be identified, in somesituations, based on the information that identifies the user's mediadevice 102 and/or that identifies the user. For example, the remote 3Dmodel site 106 may maintain or have access to a database that identifiesthe user, user account information, and/or the user's media device 102,and a corresponding list of associated candidate 3D printers 112, 114that the user has access to and/or prefers.

The remote 3D model site 106, based on information that identifies oneor more of the 3D printers 112, 114 that the user has access to, thenidentifies at least one suitable 3D printable model from the 3Dprintable model storage medium 116 that can be used to manufacture theprinted 3D object using the identified one or more candidate 3D printers112, 114. Many different suitable 3D printable models may be identifiedthat correspond to the identifiable physical object of interest.Further, many different suitable 3D printable models may be identifiedwhen there are a plurality of different available candidate 3D printers112, 114 for the user to select to manufacture the printed 3D object.

Alternatively, or additionally, once the physical object of interest hasbeen identified from the information in initial user request, the remote3D model site 106 may access one or more of a plurality of remote 3Dmodel data sites 118 that have access to and/or that store 3D printablemodels (and data) associated with the physical object of interestidentified in the user's initial request. Here, remote 3D model site 106communicates a model request to one or more of the remote 3D model datasites 118 for a request for 3D printable model data for one or more 3Dprintable models that correspond to the physical object of interest ofthe user and that are printable by the 3D printers 112, 114 that theuser has access to.

In response to the model request, the remote 3D model site 106 receivesa list of 3D printable models (and/or 3D printable model data)associated with the identified physical object of interest that areavailable from the remote 3D model data site 118. Here, each of theplurality of identified 3D printable models uniquely correspond to aparticular data format used by a particular 3D printer. There may be 3Dprintable models developed for many different 3D printers, wherein theuser may not have access to all of these different 3D printers.

The remote 3D model site 106 then filters the plurality of available 3Dprintable models to identify one or more candidate 3D printable modelsthat may be used by the candidate 3D printers 112, 114 that the user hasaccess to. Here, each one of the plurality of identified differentformat 3D printable models uniquely correspond to one of the identifiedplurality of 3D printers that are accessible by the user. That is, theremote 3D model site 106 communicates information corresponding to theidentified 3D printable models that may be used to print the 3D objectusing those 3D printers 112, 114 that are accessible by the user of themedia device 102. The communicated information omits those other ones ofthe plurality of 3D printable models that are not compatible with the 3Dprinters 112, 114 that are accessible by the user of the media device102.

In some situations, the particular requesting media device 102 isco-located with the local 3D printer 112 at the user's premises, such astheir residence, office or other location. The media device 102 and thelocal 3D printer 112 are communicatively coupled together via acommunication link 120 (that may be a physical connector and/or a radiofrequency or infrared wireless communication link). Here, the userrequest information communicated from the media device 102 to the remote3D model site 106 includes information that identifies the local 3Dprinter 112, and/or information that identifies a 3D printable modelformat and/or materials that may be used by the local 3D printer 112 tomanufacture a printed 3D object. Optionally, the user requestinformation may include a confirmation that the user wishes to use theirlocal 3D printer 112 to print the 3D object associated with the viewedphysical object of interest.

Based on the received information that identifies the viewed physicalobject of interest and the information that is associated with theuser's local 3D printer 112, the remote 3D model site 106 identifies atleast one 3D printable model that can be used by the local 3D printer112 to manufacture a 3D object associated with the viewed physicalobject of interest. Once the at least one 3D printable model has beenidentified, then information is communicated from the remote 3D modelsite 106 to the media device 102 which indicates to the user theavailability of the one or more 3D printable models that the user mightuse for the manufacture of the printed 3D object using their local 3Dprinter 112. Optionally, other associated information pertaining to each3D printable model may be included.

The user may then choose one or more of the identified candidate 3Dprintable models that can be used by their local 3D printer 112 tomanufacture the desired printed 3D object. In response to the user'sselection of an available candidate 3D printable model, then datacorresponding to the at least one 3D printable model is communicatedfrom the remote 3D model site 106 to the media device 102, oralternatively, to the local 3D printer 112. Then, the local 3D printer112 is operated to manufacture (print) the 3D object using the received3D printable model data.

In other situations, the user may prefer to use a designated one of theremote 3D printers 114 to print the 3D object. The plurality of remote3D printers 114 are communicatively coupleable to the remote 3D modelsite 106 and/or to the user's media device 102, via the communicationsystem 108. For example, a local business may have a remote 3D printer114 that prints 3D objects for requesting users. Here, the user may berequired to pay a service fee or the like to have the designated remote3D printer 114 manufacture a printed 3D object associated with theviewed physical object of interest. As another example, a library,university, or other public entity may have an accessible remote 3Dprinter 114. The user may wish to use the designated remote 3D printer114 if they do not have their own local 3D printer 112, if their ownlocal 3D printer 112 is not sufficiently advanced to manufacture aparticular printed 3D object, if their own local 3D printer 112 does nothave suitable manufacturing materials (such as a particular basematerial and or colors), and/or if they simply wish to discretelymanufacture the printed 3D object (such as when the printed 3D object isintended by the user to be a surprise present, gift, or the like).

In such situations wherein a remote 3D printer 114 is used tomanufacture a printed 3D object, information corresponding to the user'sselection of a remote 3D model site 106 is communicated from the mediadevice 102 to the remote 3D model site 106, wherein the user selectionincludes information that identifies the particular designated remote 3Dprinter 114. The communicated information may optionally includeinformation that identifies a 3D printable model format and optionallyany materials used by the designated remote 3D printer 114 tomanufacture the printed 3D object. This information specifying theremote 3D printer 114 may be included in the initial user request.Alternatively, the user's selection of a particular remote 3D printer114 may be included in a subsequent communication after the user hasconsidered the various available suitable 3D printable models that areassociated with the viewed physical object of interest.

Based on the received information that identifies the 3D printable modelof interest and the information that is associated with the designatedremote 3D printer 114, the remote 3D model site 106 optionally confirmsthat the selected at least one 3D printable model can be used by thedesignated remote 3D printer 114 to manufacture a 3D object associatedwith the viewed physical object of interest. In the event that the userspecified 3D printable model cannot be used by the specified remote 3Dprinter 114, the remote 3D model site 106 may identify a substituteequivalent 3D printable model.

It is appreciated that the particular 3D printer 112, 114 that the userintends to use to manufacture a printed 3D object must, at some pointduring the manufacturing process, have the associated 3D printable modeldata. Once the at least one 3D printable model useable by the remote 3Dprinter 114 has been identified, then data corresponding to the at leastone 3D printable model is provided to the designated remote 3D printer114. The designated remote 3D printer 114 is then operated tomanufacture the 3D object using the received 3D printable model data. Insome situations, the 3D printable model data is communicated from theremote 3D model site 106 to the designated remote 3D printer 114Alternatively, or additionally, the 3D printable model data iscommunicated from the media device 102 to the designated remote 3Dprinters 114 (and/or to other compatible remote 3D printers 114).Alternatively, or additionally, one of the remote 3D model data sites118 communicates the 3D printable model data to the designated remote 3Dprinter 114 in response to a request or instruction provided by theremote 3D model site 106 and/or the user's media device 102.Alternatively, or additionally, the 3D printable model data may havebeen previously communicated to and stored by the designated remote 3Dprinter 114. Alternatively, or additionally, the designated remote 3Dprinter 114 may access previously stored 3D printable model data used inprevious manufacturing operations. For example, if a particular printed3D object is preferred by many different users, the 3D printable modeldata may be stored at the remote 3D printer 114 for use on an ongoingbasis. It is appreciated that the remote 3D printer 114 may receive 3Dprintable model data for manufacture of a particular printed 3D object.

In some instances, the 3D printable model data may be communicated toand stored by the user's media device 102. That is, the 3D printablemodel data may have previously been received and stored at the mediadevice 102. Accordingly, the 3D printable model data may be communicatedfrom the media device 102 to the particular 3D printer 112, 114 that isto be used at any point in time that is desired by the user. Forexample, the 3D printable model data is communicated from the mediadevice 102 to the associated 3D printer 112, 114 at a later time whenthe user wishes to manufacture the printed 3D object. Further, the usermay repeatedly access the 3D printable model, and/or the associated 3Dprintable model data, to later print other like printed 3D objects onthe same 3D printer 112, 114. Alternatively, or additionally, the usermay later manufacture the printed 3D object using a different one of the3D printers 112, 114 that the user has access to (so long as the formatof the 3D printable model data is compatible with the later designatedone of the 3D printers 112, 114).

It is appreciated that other 3D printable models associated with theviewed physical object of interest may not be suitable for use by aparticular 3D printer 112, 114 that the user has access to. For example,the format of these 3D printable models may not be compatible with the3D printers 112, 114 that the user has access to. Alternatively, oradditionally, the materials used to manufacture the printed 3D objectusing those 3D printable models may not be available at the 3D printers112, 114 that the user has access to. In such situations, the dataassociated with the other non-suitable 3D printable models is notretrieved and communicated to the media device 102 and/or the 3D printer112, 114.

Multiple 3D printable models suitable for use by a particular 3D printer112, 114 may be identified for a variety of reasons. As a first exampleof why multiple 3D printable models may be identified for a particularviewed physical object of interest, each of the multiple 3D printablemodels may have different levels of complexity. Consider a hypotheticalsituation wherein the physical object of interest viewed in a presentedmedia content event is an automobile. A very complicated 3D printablemodel may provide for manufacture of a printed 3D object having veryhigh level of detail, may provide for multiple colors, and/or may usemultiple materials. For example, the detailed automobile 3D printablemodel data may specify particular colors for the automobile interior andfor different interior features (such as the type of steering wheel ortransmission shifter), may specify different exterior colors and/orfeatures (such as automobile trims, a user-preferred color, and/or ahard top or convertible version), and/or may specify different materials(such as a plastic body, metal chrome-like bumpers, wheel covers andtrimmings, and/or clear plastic windows). Such a detailed 3D printablemodel may be suitable for an automobile enthusiast. On the other hand, avery simple automobile 3D printable model that has limited colors, thathas no interior details, and/or that has a single material may be moresuitable for a child (who is not interested in such details and/or whoneeds a very durable toy to play with). Many other versions ofautomobile 3D printable models, each with differing characteristics, maybe identified from many different available automobile 3D printablemodels that have been identified based on the indicated viewed physicalobject of interest, where the identified 3D printable models can bemanufactured by the particular identified 3D printers 112, 114 that theuser has access to.

Further, some particular 3D printable models may be available to theuser for free, and other 3D printable models may be available for a fee(price). And, different 3D printable models may have different feesassociated with each model. For example, a very complex and detailed 3Dprintable model may have a relatively higher fee (cost) to the user thanthe fee for a less complex and/or less detailed 3D printable model ofthe same automobile. A simple generic 3D printable model of the sameautomobile may be available for free or for a minimal cost.

Also, material costs for manufacturing a particular printed 3D objectfor a particular 3D printable model may vary. For example, the materialcosts for manufacturing a complex and detailed automobile 3D object maybe relatively higher to the user because more expensive material may beused (as compared to the simple automobile 3D object that is intended tobe a toy for a young child). Material costs of the manufactured printed3D object will also be affected by the size of the printed 3D objectsince a large printed 3D object will require more materials that asmaller printed 3D object.

If a designated remote 3D printer 114 is used to manufacture the printed3D object, service fees incurred by the user may vary since a morecomplex and technologically advance 3D printer may be required tomanufacture a printed 3D object using a complex and detailed 3Dprintable model. Further, production costs to manufacture a printed 3Dobject from a particular one of the multiple 3D printable models islikely to be different. A simple 3D printable model data printed on ahighly automated 3D printer 112, 114 may require little or no effort onthe part of the operator. However, a complex 3D printable model data ofthe same viewed physical object of interest that is printed on a highlycomplex and/or less automated 3D printer 112, 114 may require asubstantial effort on the part of the operator. Accordingly, productioncosts may be incurred by the user to obtain their printed 3D object inview of the greater manpower requirements and/or labor charges. That is,a higher service fee may be charged to the user to use a more expensivetype or model of 3D printer.

Accordingly, the user may incur a first fee cost for obtaining aparticular 3D printable model. A second fee may be incurred for the costof materials when the printed 3D object is manufactured using theowner's local 3D printer 112 or at a designated remote 3D printer 114.When a designated remote 3D printer 114 is used to manufacture a printed3D object, the user may further incur a third fee for the cost ofmanufacturing a printed 3D object from the obtained 3D printable model(because of the investment cost of the designated remote 3D printer 114,operator expenses, and/or profit margins).

In view of the potential varying costs to the user to obtain aparticular printed 3D object, the user must make a decision as to whichparticular one of the multiple 3D printable models is to be obtainedfrom the remote 3D model site 106, and which of the particular 3Dprinter 112, 114 is to be used for the manufacturing of the printed 3Dobject. Accordingly, once a plurality of different 3D printable modelshave been identified by the remote 3D model site 106, informationassociated with each of the identified multiple 3D printable models maybe communicated to the user's media device 102 so that the user may makean informed decision regarding which particular 3D printable model willbe used and/or which particular 3D printer 112, 114 will be used tomanufacture the printed 3D object.

In an example embodiment, the information communicated to the mediadevice 102 from the remote 3D model site 106 may identify cost to obtainthe data for a particular 3D printable model. Further, the providedinformation for a particular 3D printable model may include a materialslist or the like identifying materials required for manufacture of theprinted 3D object using that particular 3D printable model. Since therequired types of materials and/or amounts of particular materials willvary between different 3D printable models, such information is relevantto the total material cost incurred by the user. Alternatively, oradditionally, an estimated cost for materials may be provided for theidentified multiple 3D printable models.

If the printed 3D object is to be manufactured by the owner's local 3Dprinter 112, the media device 102 may use the information provided abouteach particular 3D printable model to compute an estimate for a materialcost and/or for a manufacturing cost (such as energy costs or the like).The media device 102, in one embodiment, may estimate material costsbased on known input material costs and the list of materials (thatincludes the required amounts of each different identified material).Optionally, a manufacturing cost may be added to the determined materialcosts to compute an estimated cost to the user.

If the printed 3D object is to be manufactured by a designated remote 3Dprinter 114, the owner of the designated remote 3D printer 114 mayoptionally provide an estimated cost to the user to have the printed 3Dobject manufactured by that designated remote 3D printer 114. Theestimated cost information may be provided directly to the media device102, and/or may be provided to the remote 3D model site 106. Estimatedcosts may be predefined and stored as part of the 3D printable modeldata that is accessed by the remote 3D model site 106. Alternatively,the 3D printable model data or associated manufacturing information maybe communicated to the operator of the designated remote 3D printer 114,who is then able to provide the cost estimate to the remote 3D modelsite 106 and/or to the media device 102.

FIG. 2A is conceptual graphical user interface (GUI) 202 that an exampleembodiment of the media content and 3D printing system 100 provides tothe user to facilitate the user's selection of a particular 3D printablemodel and/or a particular one of the candidate 3D printers 112, 114. TheGUI 202 is presented to the user after the initial user request has beencommunicated to the remote 3D model site 106, and after a plurality ofsuitable different 3D printers 112, 114 that the user has access to havebeen identified. The GUI 202 indicates a plurality of available printingoptions 204 that the user may select from for manufacturing thespecified printed 3D object. To conceptually illustrate possibleinformation that is presented to the user, the printing optioninformation identifies the local 3D printer 112 and a plurality ofremote 3D printers 114 as candidate 3D printers that the user may selectfrom for use in manufacturing the printed 3D object of interest.

The printing options 204 of the example GUI 202 present a variety ofinformation of interest to the user pertaining to each individualprinting option. Other embodiments of a GUI 202 may include additionalinformation, less information, and/or alternative information for theprinting options as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The first exampleinformation 206 of a printing option 204 identifies the 3D printablemodel. A name of the model and/or a textual description of the modeledobject may be provided as part of the information 206.

The printing options 204 further present information 208 that indicateswhich particular 3D printer 112, 114 are compatible with, and thereforecould use, that particular 3D printable model data. For example, thefirst printing option 204 a indicates that the 3D printable model datacorresponds to 3D model A that can be manufactured using the owner'slocal 3D printer 112. The second printing option 204 b indicates thatthe 3D printable model data corresponding to 3D model B can also bemanufactured using the owner's local 3D printer 112.

In contrast, the third printing option 204 c indicates that the 3Dprintable model data corresponding to 3D model A can also bemanufactured using the designated remote 3D printer 114 at location WXYZ(that the user presumably has access to). Thus, both the designatedremote 3D printer 114 and the local 3D printer 112 are operable tomanufacture the same printed 3D object (using the same 3D printablemodel data).

Any suitable indentifying information may be used to indicate to theuser the identity of the designated remote 3D printer 114. Here, thedesignated remote 3D printer 114 is indicated by its location “WXYZ”which may be an address, a notoriously well known location, a particularbusiness, or the like. Any suitable identifier may be presented to theuser that intuitively informs the viewing user where the printed 3Dobject will be manufactured so that the user may later obtain theprinted 3D object after it has been manufactured.

The last example printing option 204 d indicates that the printed 3Dobject may be obtained from another remote second location (“LMNO”).Thus, the GUI 202 provides the user a plurality of different locationsto choose from. Further, the last example information indicates that the3D model n is used as the alternative second location LMNO. The secondlocation LMNO may require another different 3D model because the remote3D printer 114 at that location may be different from the remote 3Dprinter 114 at the first location WXYZ.

In some situations, the GUI 202 may not distinguish between different 3Dprintable models that are used at different locations because theresultant manufactured printed 3D object is identical, or issubstantially similar, when manufactured at either location. However,because the remote 3D printers 114 are different from each other, eachmay require the 3D printable model data in a different format. Thus, ifthe user selects a particular location and a particular 3D model, the 3Dprintable model data that has a format that is compatible with thatparticular designated remote 3D printer 114 is communicated from theremote 3D model site 106 (or from one of the remote model data sites118) to the media device 102 and/or to the designated remote 3D printer114.

If a cost is associated with acquisition and/or use of the data for aparticular 3D printable model, such fee information 210 may be indicatedto the user by the GUI 202.

The indicated fee for a 3D printable model may be a cost to own oracquire a license for the user's own personal use of the 3D printablemodel data. Thus, when the 3D printable model data is communicated fromthe remote 3D model site 106 to the user's media device 102, thereceived 3D printable model data may be saved by the media device 102(and/or may be saved into another suitable memory medium).Alternatively, the fee may be for a limited use right for the user tomanufacture a single printed 3D object, or a limited number of prints ofthe same printed 3D object. Alternatively, or additionally, the right touse the 3D printable model data may be for a limited duration such thatafter some predefined period of time, use rights expire and the 3Dprintable model data is no longer operable to manufacture the printed 3Dobject.

For example, the 3D model A has an indicated cost of $10. In contrast,the indicated cost of the cost of the 3D model B has a cost of $100.Presumably, the 3D model B is considerably more complex and provides asignificantly higher quality printed 3D object than that provided by theless expensive or cheaper 3D model A. Alternatively, or additionally,the lower fee of 3D model A may reflect a one-time use of that model andthe higher fee for the 3D model B may be for unlimited use rights, alimited duration use, and/or for use for a predefined number of likeprinted 3D objects.

The last indicated 3D model n is conceptually illustrated as being afree 3D printable model. Free 3D printable models may be available forvariety of reasons. For example, but not limited to, the 3D printablemodel data may be in the public domain, and therefore, be freelyavailable to any user at any time. Alternatively, the free 3D printablemodel may be available as part of a promotion and/or may be providedfree of charge if the user has purchased or obtained a related productor service. To illustrate, the printed 3D object may correspond to amovie character or a physical object shown in a movie. The associated 3Dprintable model data may be available free of charge as a promotion ofthe movie, if the user has purchased one or more tickets to see themovie at a theatre, and/or has paid to view the movie using their mediadevice 102.

Information 212 corresponding to the estimated cost to manufacture theprinted 3D object using the associated 3D printable model data may alsobe indicated to the user in a presented printing option 204. The firstprinting option 204 a indicates that a printed 3D object manufacturedusing the 3D model A can be manufactured using the owner's local 3Dprinter 112 for a cost of ten cents. In contrast, the second printingoption 204 b indicates that a printed 3D object manufactured using the3D model B can be manufactured using the owner's local 3D printer 112for a cost of $25. Presumably, the printed 3D object manufactured usingthe 3D model B costs more because that object uses more materials and/ormore expensive materials that a printed 3D object that is manufacturedusing 3D model A. Alternatively, or additionally, the lower cost ofmaterials used by the user's local 3D printer 112 may have been obtainedat a discount by the user. In contrast, the higher material costs foruse of the remote 3D printer 114 may be based on a full retail materialprices or at marked up material prices.

The third printing option 204 c indicates that a printed 3D objectmanufactured using the 3D model A can be manufactured using thedesignated remote 3D printer 114 for a cost of $15. Presumably, theprinted 3D object manufactured using the 3D model A costs more tomanufacture at the designated remote 3D printer 114 because of servicefees or the like charged by the business that owns and/or that operatesthe designated remote 3D printer 114. The owner may opt for the thisthird printing option 204 c in the event that they wish to obtain theprinted 3D object discretely or if they do not have their own local 3Dprinter 112.

In the example GUI 202, a graphical icon 214 is indicated next to eachof the different identifying information. The graphical icon may be apresented image that indicates the appearance of the printed 3D objectto the viewing user. For example, but not limited to, the image may bean artist's rendering or a photograph of an example printed 3D objectthat has been manufactured using the associated 3D printable model. Theimage may be a still image, a series of still images, or even a shortvideo clip of the printed 3D object.

The GUI 202 is interactive with the viewing user to enable the user'sselection of a particular one of the presented printing options 204having a particular 3D printable model and/or a particular 3D printer112, 114 that the user wishes to have manufacture the printed 3D objectof interest. The selection of one of the printing options 204 may bemade by the user by navigating about the GUI 202. Such navigation aboutthe GUI 202 may be similar to the way the user navigates about apresented electronic program guide (EPG). For example, controllers on aremote control unit or the like may be used to navigate to and focus ona particular option of interest. A currently focused printing option maybe indicated in a variety of manners. For example, the second printingoption 204 b in the exemplary GUI 202 is presented using a bold font,thereby intuitively informing the user that this option is the currentlyfocused printing option. Alternatively, or additionally, a line aroundthe focused to printing option, shading behind the focused to printingoption, a bright and/or a different colored font of the focused toprinting option, may be used to intuitively inform the user which of theselectable printing options 204 is currently focused. Any suitableindicator may be used in the various embodiments.

Often, and particularly if the font size of the information presented inthe printing options 204 is fixed so as to be easily visible to theuser, a greater number of printing options may be identified by theremote 3D model site 106 than a number of printing options 204 that canbe practically displayed on the GUI 202. In such cases, multiple pagesof different printing options 204 may be available for the user to viewand consider. Here, a page of the GUI 202 presents a limited number ofprinting options 204, wherein other pages of the GUI 202 present theother available printing options 204. Alternatively, or additionally,the user may scroll up and/or down through a listing of the availableprinting options 204.

Some embodiments may be configured to present additional supplementalinformation for a focused printing option 204. FIG. 2B conceptuallyillustrates an example second GUI 216 that presents additionalsupplemental information to the user in response to a selection of aprinting option 204 that is currently focused to the presented GUI 202of FIG. 2A. Other embodiments of a GUI 216 may include additionalinformation, less information, and/or alternative information for theprinting options 204 as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

The example GUI 216 presents an optional list of materials 218 that willbe used in the event that the associated 3D printable model is selectedfor manufacturing of the printed 3D object of interest. The optionallist of materials 218 may identify the base material(s) and any coloringmaterials such as paint of the like that will be used in the manufactureof the printed 3D object that is required by that associated 3Dprintable model data. The list of materials 218 may be a completelisting, or may be a partial listing of major or significant materials.Thus, the viewing user intuitively understands the nature of the printed3D object of interest, it's complexity/simplicity, and/or the basis ofany specified costs to obtain the printed 3D object using thatparticular 3D printable model data manufactured by the designatedcandidate 3D printer 112, 114.

The example GUI 216 optionally includes a larger sized image 220 of theprinted 3D object that will be manufactured by that particular 3Dprintable model. The image 220 may be a still image, a series of stillimages, or even a short video clip of the printed 3D object. Toillustrate, an image (drawing or photograph) of a complex and detailedmodel helicopter is shown in the image 220 to visually indicate to theuser various characteristics of the manufactured printed 3D object.Thus, the user can better make their selection of a particular 3Dprintable model and/or from among different 3D printers 112, 114 basedon their preferences and intended purposes for the printed 3D object ofinterest.

The GUI 216 optionally has a region of selectable options that willinitiate acquisition of the identified 3D printable model and/or willinitiate manufacture of the printed 3D object. For example, a firstselectable option 222 a, if selected by the user, will cause theidentified 3D printable model to be acquired (ordered). In response tothe user's selection of this option 222 a, the corresponding 3Dprintable model data will be communicated from the remote 3D model site106 (or from a remote 3D model site 106) to the local 3D printer 112and/or the designated remote 3D printer 114.

A second selectable option 222 b, if selected by the user, will initiatethe manufacture of a printed 3D object based on the identified 3Dprintable model and designated candidate 3D printer 112, 114. Inresponse to the user's selection of this option 222 b, the 3D printablemodel data will be communicated from the remote 3D model site 106, themedia device 102, and/or a remote 3D model site 106 to the designatedcandidate 3D printer 112, 114 such that manufacturing of the printed 3Dobject is then commenced.

Third selectable option 222 c, if selected by the user, will return topresentation of the GUI 202 of FIG. 2A. Selection of this option 222 cwould be made by the user if the user decides to view, consider, and/oruse a different 3D printable model and/or a different one of theavailable 3D printers 112, 114.

In the example GUI 216, a plurality of hotspot areas 224 are optionallyillustrated adjacent to each of the indicated selectable options 222.The user may navigate to the desired selectable option 222 or even to aplurality of selectable options 222. To conceptually illustrateoperation of the GUI 216, the hotspot 224 associated with themanufacturing selection option 222 b is illustrated using a blackshading to indicate the user's selection. Any suitable user selectionand/or indication means, such as coloring, background characteristic, orthe like, may be used by various embodiments to indicate a userselection of that particular selectable option 222. Alternatively, oradditionally, indications described above to indicate the focusing onprinting options 204 (FIG. 2A) may be used to indicate the user'sselection. In the simplified GUI 216, in response to the user'sselection of the black-shaded hot spot, the process of manufacturing theprinted 3D object may be initiated. Alternatively, or additionally, theprocess of manufacturing may be initiated after the user pays one ormore fees that may be charged for access to the associated 3D printablemodel and/or for use of a designated remote 3D printer 114.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1, an exemplary media contentdelivery system is broadly described. To facilitate disclosure of anexemplary embodiment of the media content and 3D printing system 100,delivery of media content events to a plurality of media devices 102 isbriefly described. A media content provider receives media content atits media content broadcast facility 122, in the form of a plurality ofmedia content events, from a plurality of local program providers orother content providers. The provided media content events may include,but are not limited to, a television program, a newscast, a broadcastsports event, a movie, or the like. The media content is typicallyprovided in the form of a video stream, a synchronized audio stream, andoptional streams of other information, herein referred tointerchangeably as a media content stream 124.

The media content provider processes the received media content eventsinto data streams as necessary to prepare the media content events fortransmission to the plurality of media devices 102. For example,commercials or the like may be incorporated with a particular mediacontent event. Alternatively, or additionally, the media content may beassociated with identifiers, such as channel number and/or station callsigns. The processed media content is aggregated and is broadcast over abroadcast system 126 that is received as a media content stream 124 atthe media devices 102.

A variety of types of communication systems may be used for thebroadcast system 126 to communicate the media content stream 124 to themedia devices 102. The broadcast system 126 may employ a satellitesystem 128 wherein an uplink signal 130 is communicated from a groundantenna 132 up to one or more satellites 134. Each of the exemplarysatellites 134 broadcast a wireless satellite signal 136 down to areceiver antenna 138 that is coupled to the media device 102. The mediadevice 102 receives the media content stream 124 from the receiverantenna 138.

Alternatively, or additionally, the broadcast system 126 may employ anover the air (OTA) system 140 wherein a wireless signal 142 iscommunicated using a wireless signal format that is received by thereceiver antenna 138. The media device 102 then receives the mediacontent stream 124 from the receiver antenna 138.

Alternatively, or additionally, the broadcast system 126 may employ acable system 144 wherein a wire-based signal is communicated using asuitable cable 146 or the like that is communicatively coupled to themedia device 102. Non-limiting examples of the cable 146 include a fiberoptic cable, a coaxial cable, and telephone line. The media device 102then receives the media content stream 124 via the cable 146.

The media content stream 124 may also be received by the media device102 in other manners. In an exemplary embodiment, the media contentprovider is communicatively coupled to the media device 102 via theexemplary communication system 108. The media content stream 124 maythen be received by the media device 102 via a communication link 110that establishes connectivity of the media device 102 to the mediacontent broadcast facility 122 via the communication system 108.

As another non-limiting example, a remote content source 150, such as anInternet site or the like, may provide the media content stream 124 tothe media device 102 over the communication system 108 and via theestablished communication links 110.

Alternatively, or additionally, the media device 102 may becommunicatively coupled to an external content device 152 via acommunication link 120. Non-limiting examples of an external contentdevice 152 include, but are not limited to, a portable memory medium, adigital video disc player, a video cassette recorder, or the like.Alternatively, or additionally, received media content events may besaved onto a memory medium (not shown) residing within the media device102.

Regardless of the source of a particular media content event, a user ofthe media device 102 may choose to operate the media device 102 topresent a received media content event on a media content presentationdevice 104 such as the exemplary television. When the user is viewingthe presented media content event, the user may see an image of aphysical object that they then become interested in obtaining a printed3D object of.

When the user becomes aware of a physical object that they have viewedin the presented media content event, and then becomes interested inobtaining a corresponding printed 3D object of interest, embodiments ofthe media content and 3D printing system 100 are configured to receive auser request indicating the user's interest in obtaining the printed 3Dobject of interest (interchangeably referred to herein as the initialuser request). Therefore, the information corresponding to the initialuser request that is communicated from the media device 102 to theremote 3D model site 106 must include some suitable means of identifyingthe viewed physical object of interest.

Once the object of interest has been identified, the remote 3D modelsite 106 can then optionally communicate information back to the mediadevice 102 that indicates the identified physical object of interest.For example, an optional response from the remote 3D model site 106 mayinclude an image of the identified physical object of interest and/ordescriptive text that presumably describes the identified physicalobject of interest. The user may then operate their media device 102 togenerate a confirmation message that is sent back to the remote 3D modelsite 106. Then, the remote 3D model site 106 may begin the process ofidentifying candidate 3D printable models that may then be presented aspossible selection options 204 in the GUI 202 (FIG. 2).

In some situations, the initial user request includes information thatidentifies the physical object of interest with particularity. Forexample, the initial user request may include a specific identifier orthe like that unambiguously identifies the user's indented physicalobject of interest. For example, the initial user request may specifythe character name of an actor or animated character. As anothernon-limiting example, the initial user request may specify the name of anotoriously well known physical object, such as a building, a vehicle,or the like. In such situations, the remote 3D model site 106 mayimmediately begin the process of identifying candidate 3D printablemodels based in the specified identifier of the viewed physical objectof interest. Identified candidate 3D printable models may then bepresented as possible selection options 204 in the GUI 202.

Identification of the physical object of interest may be performed in avariety of other manners by the various embodiments of the media contentand 3D printing system 100. In an example embodiment, the user mayinitiate a capture of a presented image of the media content event thatincludes an image of the physical object of interest. Such a capturedimage, or screen shot, is communicated from the media device 102 to theremote 3D model site 106. Alternatively, or additionally, a relativelyshort video clip of the presented media content event may be capturedand included as part of the initial user's request.

In such situations, the remote 3D model site 106 includes an optionalphysical object identification system 154. The physical objectidentification system 154 is configured to receive and analyze imageinformation received in the initial user request to identify at leastone physical object of interest that is shown in the image information.Any suitable object recognition algorithm and/or object recognitionsystem may be used by the various embodiments.

For example, the user may be viewing a media content event that, duringsome point in the presentation of the media content event, includes ascene of a helicopter (the physical object of interest). The user mayinitiate capture of an image (or capture of a short video clip) of thatscene in the presented media content event. The physical objectidentification system 154 then analyzes the image and identifies thehelicopter as being the presumed viewed object of interest.

Optionally, the remote 3D model site 106 may then communicateinformation back to the media device 102 information that indicates thata helicopter has been indentified from the provided image informationfor confirmation from the user. If multiple physical objects areidentified from the analyzed image information, the multiple identifiedphysical objects may be indicated to the user. In some situations, theinformation indicating the identified physical object of interest maynot need to be communicated if the physical object of interest isidentified with a high degree of accuracy and reliability.

The media device 102 then presents information indicating the identifiedphysical object(s) to the user. For example, an image of the identifiedhelicopter, or another similar helicopter, is presented to the user bythe media device 102. Alternatively, or additionally, descriptivetextual information describing the identified physical object ofinterest is presented to the user. The user may then confirm that thephysical object of interest has been correctly identified by thephysical object identification system 154. If multiple physical objectshave been identified as possible candidate physical objects of interest,the user may select one or more of the identified candidate physicalobjects. The user's confirmation and/or selection is communicated fromthe media device 102 to the remote 3D model site 106, wherein the remote3D model site 106 may begin the process of identifying candidate 3Dprintable models associated with the confirmed object.

The physical object identification system 154 may be any suitable objectidentification system now known or later developed that is configured toidentify physical objects from image information. Such a system mayinclude a processor system, a memory system, and object recognitionlogic (not shown). Received image information is analyzed by theprocessor system while executing the object recognition logic toidentify one or more candidate physical objects from the received imageinformation. Information pertaining to the identified candidate physicalobjects (video information and/or textual descriptions) may then beprovided to the remote 3D model site 106, which may then begin theprocess of identifying candidate 3D printable models.

The physical object identification system 154 is illustrated as residingat the remote 3D model site 106. In other embodiments, the physicalobject identification system 154 may reside remotely from the remote 3Dmodel site 106. Such a remote physical object identification system 154would receive image information from the remote 3D model site 106 and/ordirectly from the media device 102. Information pertaining to theidentified candidate physical objects (video information and/or textualdescriptions) may then be communicated to the remote 3D model site 106and/or the media device 102, which may then begin the process ofidentifying candidate 3D printable models.

In some implementations, the physical object identification system 154may reside at the media device 102. In such an embodiment, the physicalobjects are identified locally by the media device 102 based on a user'sinput or instruction. The user may optionally confirm that the correctcandidate physical object has been identified before the initial userrequest is generated. Then, the initial user request that iscommunicated to the remote 3D model site 106 would contain informationthat identifies the physical object of interest with particularity.

Alternatively, or additionally, the user may input information that isused to identify the physical object of interest. For example, akeyboard may be operated by the user to input textual informationspecifying or describing the physical object of interest. Here, the usermay type in the name of a character, actor, object or the like.Alternatively, or additionally, the user may type in a generaldescription of the physical object of interest, wherein the remote 3Dmodel site 106 identifies one or more candidate 3D printable models.

Alternatively, or additionally, a GUI type interface may be used by theuser to indicate a physical object of interest that is being presentedin an image of the media content event. For example, the user may pausepresentation of the media content event so that an image of the physicalobject of interest is shown on the paused image. Then, the user mayoperate a mouse or other pointing system to selectively indicate thephysical object of interest that is shown in the paused image. In someapplications, the media device 102 may optionally process the stillimage that the user is operating on to identify the physical object ofinterest. For example, once the user has indicated the physical objectof interest, the image may be cropped so that it contains only theidentified physical object of interest (thereby cropping out otherportions of the image that may otherwise contain images of other objectsthat the user is not interested in). The media device 102 may thenprovide this image information as part of the initial user request thatis communicated to the remote 3D model site 106.

Alternatively, or additionally, the media content event itself mayinclude information that is associated with predefined physical objectsfor which 3D printable models are available. In an example embodiment,during presentation of the media content event, the viewing user may benotified that at least one 3D printable model is available for aparticular physical object that is currently being shown in thepresented media content event. For example, but not limited to, a pop upwindow may be presented to the user when a particular physical object isbeing shown during presentation of a scene of a presented media contentevent. The pop up window may include graphical and/or textualinformation informing the user about available 3D printable models.

In response to a selection made via the pop up window by the user, suchas might be made using a remote control or the like, the initial userrequest may then be generated. The initial user request is thencommunicated to the remote 3D model site 106 in response to the user'sselection. The initial user request generated in response to the user'sselection via the pop up window would include information associatedwith the pop up window. Such information used to generate and present apop up window, and the associated information that identifies the objectof interest, may be embedded into the media content event data stream atany suitable place, such as in the metadata, closed captioning data, orvent the audio/video stream itself.

In some situations, the media device 102 may store the user's selectionfor later consideration by the user, such as after the conclusion of thepresentation of the media content event or even at a later point in timeof the user's choosing. Then, a user selection confirmation GUI may bepresented to the user that indicates the previous user's selection. Ifmultiple different physical objects of interest have been selected bythe user at various times during presentation of the media contentevent, these multiple candidate physical objects may be indicated in thepresented user selection confirmation GUI. The user may then confirmtheir selection, and/or make particular selections among the pluralityof previously selected physical objects, that the user has continuedinterest in. This user selection confirmation GUI may be similar to theabove-described GUI 202 (FIG. 2A) or GUI 216 (FIG. 2B), though specificdetailed information about available models may be optionally omitted(since the remote 3D model site 106 has not yet begun the process ofidentifying candidate 3D printable models). In response to the user'sconfirmation made via a presented confirmation GUI, the initial requestis generated and communicated from the media device 102 to the remote 3Dmodel site 106.

Alternatively, or additionally, information identifying one or morespecific available 3D printable models may be included as part of thedata of a media content event. Information about particular 3D printablemodels may be embedded into the media content event data stream at anysuitable place, such as in the metadata, closed captioning data, or theaudio/video stream itself. Thus, if the user selects that particularphysical object during presentation of the media content event, the 3Dprintable model can be accessed from the media content event itself. Theinformation may be presented in the user selection confirmation GUIand/or the GUI 202 (FIG. 2) at the time of selection (whereinpresentation of the media content event may be optionally paused) and/ormay be presented after the conclusion of the presentation of the mediacontent event. The user may opt to select that particular 3D printablemodel(s) via the user selection confirmation GUI or the GUI 202 suchthat the process of acquisition of the selected 3D printable model(s) isinitiated (and/or such that the process of manufacturing the printed 3Dobject of interest at a designated one of the 3D printers 112, 114commences).

Optionally, the 3D printable model data associated with available 3Dprintable models may be incorporated into the media content eventitself. The 3D printable model data may be embedded into the mediacontent event data stream at any suitable place, such as in themetadata, closed captioning data, or even the audio/video stream itself.Thus, acquisition of the 3D printable model is automatic in that the 3Dprintable model data has been received or is currently being received inthe media content event. The media device 102 may then store the 3Dprintable model data that has been received in the media content stream124.

In embodiments that optionally include information pertaining toavailable 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printable model data)residing in a presented media content event, such information must beadded into the media content stream 124 prior to the broadcasting of themedia content stream 124 to the plurality of media devices 102 via thebroadcast system 126. In an example embodiment, the media contentbroadcast facility 122 includes an optional physical object and mediacontent event (MCE) association system 156. The physical object and MCEassociation system 156 is configured to process a received media contentevent into a modified media content event that includes the 3D printablemodels (and/or the 3D printable model data).

The physical object and MCE association system 156 generates informationidentifying particular physical objects that are being shown in aparticular media content event. In an example embodiment, theinformation about the available 3D printable models (and/or the 3Dprintable model data) is inserted into the stream of media content forthe media content event at a point that corresponds with presentation ofthe associated physical object of interest. Then, the modified mediacontent event is broadcast to the plurality of media devices 102 insteadof, or concurrently with, the original version of the media contentevent. When the modified media content event is being presented to theuser, and more particularly when the presentation of the physical objectof interest occurs, the user is able to view the physical object ofinterest, and then indicate whether or not they are interested inobtaining a printed 3D object that corresponds to the physical object ofinterest that is being presented in the modified media content event.

Alternatively, or additionally, the MCE association system 156 mayinsert a trigger into the media content stream 124 to indicate to aviewing user that a presented scene of the media content event ispresenting an image of a physical object that has at least one or moreavailable 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) thatare available to manufacture a printed 3D object that corresponds to thepresented physical object of interest. The trigger is data that isinserted into the video stream portion, the audio stream portion, theclosed captioning stream portion, and/or the metadata portion of themedia content event being communicated in the media content stream 124.

The trigger data, when received at the media device 102, causes themedia device 102 to perform a proscribed operation in accordance withthe trigger data. In an example embodiment, the trigger data causes themedia device to present an icon or other visual graphic element on thedisplay, such as a display of the media device 102 or a display of themedia presentation system 104. Preferably, but not required, the icon orother visual graphic element is presented on the display concurrentlywith presentation of the media content event. Alternatively, oradditionally, the trigger data may include link information, such as ahypertext markup language (html) address or the like, that causes themedia device 102 to access a remote site (such as the remote 3D modelsite 106 and/or the remote 3D model data sites 118), that causes themedia device 102 to communicate a request to the accessed site for thegraphical information, and then that causes the media device 102 toretrieve graphical information corresponding to the icon or other visualgraphic element that is to be presented on the display.

Here, the trigger data includes graphical information used to render theimage of the icon or other visual graphic element on the display, andcontrol information that causes the media device 102 to present the iconor other visual graphic element on the display. Accordingly, theplacement of the trigger in the streaming media content event generallycorresponds to the location of the particular scene showing the physicalobject of interest. For example, the trigger data may be embedded intothe media content event when the physical object of interest isinitially being shown (or at a point prior to when the physical objectof interest is being shown so that sufficient processing time isavailable to the media device 102). Thus, when the viewer sees thephysical object of interest in the presented media content event, theyalso see presentation of the icon or other visual graphic element on thedisplay. The trigger data may also include a duration of time that theicon or other visual graphic element is to be presented on the display.

The icon or other visual graphic element that is presented on thedisplay is configured to be relatively noticeable to the user. Thus, anysuitable color, size and/or form of the icon or other visual graphicelement may be used. A flashing and/or higher light intensity may beused to present the icon or other visual graphic element (or a portionthereof). In an example embodiment, the icon or other visual graphicelement appears as an indicating arrow, pointer or the like that ispresented in proximity to and pointed towards the image of the physicalobject of interest being presented in the scene of the media contentevent. Alternatively, or additionally, the icon or other visual graphicelement may include descriptive text that informs the user about theavailable 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printable model data).Multiple icons or other visual graphic elements may be used in somesituations (such as a graphical icon and separately presented textualinformation).

When the user notices the presentation of the icon or other visualgraphic element on the display, the user may provide a selection orother suitable input that begins generation of the initial user requestwhich initiates the process of acquiring the available 3D printablemodels (and/or the 3D printable model data). The icon or other visualgraphic element on the display may be presented in a corner of thedisplay so as to not substantially interfere with the user's experiencein viewing the presented media content event. In such an exampleembodiments operation of the feature of presenting the icon or othervisual graphic element on the display when a trigger is received may beselectable by the user. If the user is not interested in viewing theicon or other visual graphic element on the display, operation of thetrigger feature may be disabled by the user. On the other hand, the usermay enable operation of this trigger feature so that the icon or othervisual graphic element is presented on the display with the presentationof the media content event when triggers are received.

In another situation, the trigger may pause presentation of the mediacontent event, and replace or overlay the media content event with alarger icon or other visual graphic element on the display that visuallyindicates to the user that one or more 3D printable models (and/or the3D printable model data) are available. Such a visual graphic elementmay present images of the printed 3D object that the user could havemanufactured. After the user selects or deselects the presented icon orother visual graphic element on the display, presentation of the mediacontent event may resume. In such example embodiments, operation of thisfeature may be selectable by the user. If the user is not interested inpausing presentation and viewing the icon or other visual graphicelement on the display, operation of the feature may be disabled by theuser. On the other hand, the user may enable operation of this featureso that the icon or other visual graphic element on the display whilepresentation of the media content event is paused.

In an example embodiment, presentation of the icon or other visualgraphic element on the display continues for a predefined duration oftime, such as a few seconds or the like. Alternatively, or additionally,presentation of the icon or other visual graphic element on the displaymay continue during presentation of the scene(s) that is showing thephysical object of interest. After the physical object of interest is nolonger being shown in the scene of the presented media content event,presentation of the icon or other visual graphic element on the displaymay conclude. (However, presentation of the icon or other visual graphicelement on the display may continue for some predefined duration afterthe physical object of interest is no longer visible so that the userhas adequate time do decide whether they are interested in acquiring theavailable 3D printable models and/or the 3D printable model data.) Ifthe same physical object of interest is shown in a different scene, theicon or other visual graphic element may again be presented on thedisplay.

In some embodiments, the physical object and MCE association system 156may be remotely located from the media content broadcast facility 122 atanother electronic device or system that is communicatively coupled tothe media content broadcast facility 122. In an example alternativeembodiment, the physical object and MCE association system 156 residesat the remote 3D model site 106. In such embodiments, the remotelylocated physical object and MCE association system 156 accesses aparticular media content event, selectively adds in the 3D printablemodels (and/or the 3D printable model data) and/or triggers to generatethe modified media content event. The generated modified media contentevent is then communicated to the media content broadcast facility 122for broadcasting to the plurality of media devices 102.

Alternatively, or additionally, a modified media content event may beprovided to the media device 102 in other manners. For example, themodified media content event may be stored onto a memory medium, such asa flash drive memory or a digital video disk (DVD) which is thenaccessed by the external content device 152. Alternatively, oradditionally, the modified media content event may be provided to andthen stored by the remote content source 150. At some later point intime of the user's choosing, the modified media content event may thenbe communicated from the remote content source 150 to the media device102 via the communication system 108.

In some applications, the 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printablemodel data) of the modified media content event are incorporated intothe end of, or after a concluding portion of, the modified media contentevent. When presentation of the media content event concludes, asuitable GUI is generated and presented to the user indicating theavailable 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) thathas been received at the media device 102. Such a GUI may be the sameas, or similar to, the above-described confirmation GUI or GUI 202 (FIG.2). Accordingly, the user is able to intuitively understand which 3Dprintable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) pertaining to thepresented media content event are available to them. If the user isinterested in one or more of the associated physical objects shownduring presentation of the media content event, the user may then obtaina printed 3D object of interest corresponding to the particular physicalobjects that have been presented in one or more scenes of the mediacontent event.

Alternatively, or additionally, a user may be informed of available 3Dprintable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) for a particularmedia content event that they are viewing, have previously viewed,and/or have simply heard about from other sources such asadvertisements, promotions, news cast or even their friends, associatesor relatives. In this situation, the initial user's request includesidentifier information, such as a title or the like, that identifies aparticular media content event of interest. The remote 3D model site 106identifies one or more physical objects that have available 3D printablemodels (and/or 3D printable model data) based on the specified mediacontent event. Information corresponding to the various identified 3Dprintable models (and/or 3D printable model data) for the identifiedphysical objects that can be printed on one or more of the 3D printers112, 114 that are accessible by the requesting user is communicated tothe user's media device 102. Then, the GUI 202 (FIG. 2) may be presentedto the user so that they may make an informed selection of one or moreavailable 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) thatthey are interested in.

For example, a popular children's animated movie may include a pluralityof different characters and other objects (such as a castle, animals,vehicles or the like). One or more 3D printable models (and/or 3Dprintable model data) may be available for each of these differentcharacters and other objects. Here, a particular character in the mediacontent event may have a plurality of different associated 3D printablemodels (and/or 3D printable model data) corresponding to different sizesand/or different degrees of complexity. In response to receiving theinitial user request that identifies the particular media content event,the remote 3D model site 106 communicates information about theavailable 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) tothe media device 102. The media device 102 may then present thisinformation to the user using the GUI 202 or a similar GUI. The user maythen select one or more of the available 3D printable models (and/or the3D printable model data) such that they may obtain a printed 3D objectof selected ones of the different characters and/or other objects.

Alternatively, or additionally, the user may specify particulardifferent characters and other objects that are in a media content eventthat they are viewing, have previously viewed, and/or have simply heardabout from other sources. For example, the user may input the name of aparticular character or object. The initial user request would includethe information identifying the indicated different character(s) and/orother object(s) of interest. The remote 3D model site 106 would thenidentify the available 3D printable models (and/or 3D printable modeldata) for the specified character(s) and/or other object(s) of interest.The information associated with the identified 3D printable models(and/or 3D printable model data) may then be communicated to the mediadevice 102, wherein the information is then presented to the user fortheir consideration.

In various embodiments, an optional security process or parental controlfeature may be included at the media device 102 and/or the remote 3Dmodel site 106 to limit a user's access to obtaining 3D printable modelsand/or to obtaining printed 3D objects. A security password or the likefrom an authorized user would be required before 3D printable models areidentified, purchased and/or obtained. Also, the authorization may berequired before printed 3D objects are manufactured. For example anauthorized user may be a parent or other responsible adult. Thus,children cannot view an animated media content event, and then order oneor more printed 3D objects (in the absence of their parent'spermission).

FIG. 3 is a conceptual illustration of a data storage system 302 thatstores a plurality of different 3D printable model data for variousprintable 3D objects. In an example embodiment, the data storage system302 resides at the remote 3D model site 106 in the 3D printable modeldata storage medium 116. Alternatively, or additionally, the datastorage system 302 may reside remotely at the remote 3D model data sites118. The data storage system 302 may be implemented in a distributedmanner, wherein portions of the data storage system 302 are implementedusing different memory media and/or reside at different locations.

To conceptually illustrate an example embodiment of the data storagesystem 302, information is arranged logically using a catalogue-basedsystem. Any suitable cataloguing system or methodology may be used inthe various embodiments. Some embodiments may employ a relationaldatabase system or methodology.

As noted above, any particular physical object may have a plurality ofdifferent associated 3D printable models. Each different 3D printablemodel may provide for a printed 3D object that has a unique size, color,material composition, complexity or the like that is different fromother manufactured printed 3D objects of the same physical object. Eachdifferent 3D printable model is identified by a unique identifier.Further, data formats of a particular 3D printable model may vary so asto accommodate different types of 3D printers 112, 114 (even though suchdifferent formatted 3D printable models may result in identical orsubstantially similar printed 3D objects). Accordingly, for any onephysical object, there may be many different associated 3D printablemodels that may be used to manufacture different printed 3D objects ofthat particular physical object. In the various embodiments, the datastorage system 302 stores the 3D printable model data for each of thedifferent 3D printable models for the particular physical object.

Further, 3D printable models may have been created and stored from manydifferent physical objects. Accordingly, the data storage system 302 maystore a plurality of 3D printable model data for each one of a pluralityof different physical objects.

The example data storage system 302 conceptually illustrates onepossible form of stored 3D printable model data for a plurality ofdifferent objects. For explanation purposes, the 3D printable model datafor a particular physical object are illustrated as being groupedtogether in the 3D model catalogue 304.

However, the 3D printable model data need not be grouped together, andmay be distributed through different memory media (and/or may be storedin the same or different locations). For example, selected 3D printablemodel data may reside at the remote 3D model site 106 for a particularphysical object, while other 3D printable model data for the samephysical object may be located elsewhere, such as at one or more of theremote 3D model data sites 118.

In some embodiments, data for one or more 3D printable models may bestored at a first media device 102, and then may be accessed by a secondmedia device 102, the remote 3D model site 106, and or the 3D printers112, 114 based on a peer-to-peer system. Under such a peer-to-peerarchitecture, the remote 3D model site 106 may be operable to manage andtrack the storage of individual 3D printable model data at selectedmedia devices 102 and/or at other memory media.

Here, the 3D model catalogue 304 would include link and accessinformation to provide access to the data for remotely stored available3D printable models (and/or the 3D printable model data). Thus, theinformation in the 3D model catalogue 304 may include specific linkinformation, such as an html address or the like, that initiates accessto a remote site (such as the remote 3D model site 106 and/or the remote3D model data sites 118), to communicate a request to the accessed sitefor the graphical information, and then to retrieve associated 3Dprintable model (and/or the 3D printable model data).

In the conceptual illustrated data storage system 302, a plurality of 3Dprintable model data for a single physical object (denoted as “object1”) resides in a first portion 306 of the 3D model catalogue 304. Theconceptual first 3D printable model data 308 corresponds to a first 3Dprintable model that may be used to manufacture a first printed 3Dobject of the associated first physical object using a first type of 3Dprinter (denoted as “3D printer type 1”). Similarly, a conceptual second3D printable model data 310 corresponds to a second 3D printable modelthat may be used to manufacture a second printed 3D object of theassociated first physical object using a second type of 3D printer(denoted as “3D printer type 2”). Here, the first and second types of 3Dprinters are of different types.

For example, a first one of the 3D printers 112, 114 may be of the firsttype such that the first 3D printer 112, 114 is able to manufacture afirst printed 3D object using the first 3D printable model data 308. Asecond one of the 3D printers 112, 114 may be able to manufacture asecond printed 3D object using the second 3D printable model data 310.

Even though the first and the second 3D printers 112 are different fromeach other, and therefore required different 3D printable model data,the manufactured second printed 3D object manufactured by the second 3Dprinter 112, 114 may be identical to, or nearly identical to, the firstprinted 3D object manufactured by the first 3D printer 112, 114. Or, themanufactured second printed 3D object manufactured by the second 3Dprinter 112, 114 may be very different from the first printed 3D objectmanufactured by the first 3D printer 112, 114 (having different size,different colors, differing complexities, etc.).

Continuing with the conceptual explanation of the data storage system302, a third 3D printable model data 312 corresponds to a third 3Dprintable model that may be used to manufacture a third printed 3Dobject of the associated first physical object using a third type of 3Dprinter (denoted as “3D printer type 3”). Here, the third type of 3Dprinter is different from the first and second types of 3D printers.Further, an n^(th) 3D printable model data 312 corresponds to an n^(th)3D printable model that may be used to manufacture another printed 3Dobject of the associated first physical object using an n^(th) type of3D printer (denoted as “3D printer type n”). Here, the n^(th) type of 3Dprinter is different from the first, second and third types of 3Dprinters. Accordingly, it is appreciated that for a single physicalobject, data for many different 3D printable models may have beencreated and stored so that the same or similar physical object can bemanufactured by a variety of different 3D printers 112, 114. In apractical application, there may be several different hundreds of, oreven thousands of, different types of 3D printers 112, 114. Therefore,there may be several different hundreds of, or even thousands of,different types of 3D printable model data that have been generated andstored into the data storage system 302.

In the conceptual illustrated data storage system 302, a plurality of 3Dprintable model data for a single second physical object (denoted as“object 2”) resides in a second portion 316 of the 3D model catalogue304. The conceptual second 3D printable model data 318 corresponds to afirst 3D printable model that may be used to manufacture a first printed3D object of the associated first physical object using the first typeof 3D printer (denoted as “3D printer type 1”). Similarly, a conceptualsecond 3D printable model data 320 corresponds to a second 3D printablemodel that may be used to manufacture a second printed 3D object of theassociated same physical object also using the first type of 3D printer(denoted as “3D printer type 1”). Here, the first and second types of 3Dprinters are of identical, or nearly so identical to each other so as tobe able to use the same model data.

However, the first and the second 3D printable model data 318, 320 aredifferent from each other, even though both model data may be used bythe same type of 3D printer 112, 114. Here, the printed 3D objectmanufactured using the first 3D printable model data 318 is differentfrom the printed 3D object manufactured using the second 3D printablemodel data 320. The different manufactured printed 3D objects may havedifferent sizes, different colors, differing complexities or levels ofdetail, different internal/external components, etc.

Similarly, the 3D printable model data 320 and the 3D printable modeldata 322 are different, and the printed 3D object manufactured usingtheir model data will also be different. Accordingly, it is appreciatedthat in a practical application, there may be several different hundredsof, or even thousands of, different types of model data for the samephysical object so that different forms of the printed 3D objectcorresponding to the same physical object may be manufactured by asingle type of 3D printer 112, 114. Therefore, there may be severaldifferent hundreds of, or even thousands of, different types of 3Dprintable model data (generically illustrated as the 3D model data 324)corresponding to the same physical object that have been generated andstored into the data storage system 302.

Continuing with the conceptual explanation of the data storage system302, a plurality of 3D printable model data for a single physical object(denoted as “object i”) resides in a portion 326 of the 3D modelcatalogue 304. The conceptual first 3D printable model data 328 and thesecond 3D printable model data 330 correspond to different 3D printablemodels that may be used to manufacture a first printed 3D object and asecond printed 3D object, respectively, of the associated i^(th)physical object using a first type of 3D printer (denoted as “3D printertype 1”). Similarly, a conceptual third 3D printable model data 332corresponds to another 3D printable model that may be used tomanufacture a second printed 3D object of the associated i^(th) physicalobject using a third type of 3D printer (denoted as “3D printer type3”). A conceptual third 3D printable model data 334 corresponds toanother 3D printable model that may be used to manufacture yet anotherprinted 3D object of the associated i^(th) physical object using theabove described n^(th) type of 3D printer (denoted as “3D printer typen”).

Here, it is appreciated that the 3D printable model data 328 and the 3Dprintable model data 330 are different, and the printed 3D objectmanufactured using their model data manufactured using the first 3Dprinter type will be different from each other. And, even though thefirst and third types of 3D printers are of different types,manufactured printed 3D objects may be identical (or they may bedifferent).

Further, if no 3D printable model data has been generated and/or storedfor the second type of 3D printer (previously denoted as “3D printertype 2”), then the portion 326 would not have any 3D printable modeldata stored therein that is suitable for use by the second type of 3Dprinter 112, 114. For example, the second type of 3D printer may not bevery popular, may not be commonly found in the possession of the user orat the remote sites, and/or may be a 3D printer of a competitor, suchthat 3D printable model data has never been generated for use by thatparticular second type of 3D printer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the media content and 3D printing system100 implemented in, and that is operable to control, a media device 102.The exemplary media device 102 is communicatively coupled to a mediapresentation system 104 that includes a visual display device 402, suchas a television (hereafter, generically a TV), and an audio presentationdevice 404, such as a surround sound receiver controlling an audioreproduction device. The video portion of the media content event ispresented to a user on a display 406 of the visual presentation device402. The audio portion of the media content is reproduced as audiblesounds by one or more speakers 408 of the audio presentation device 404.Other types of output devices may also be coupled to the media device102, including those providing any sort of stimuli sensible by a humanbeing, such as temperature, vibration and the like. In some embodiments,the media device 102 and one or more of the components of the mediapresentation system 104 may be integrated into a single electronicdevice.

The non-limiting exemplary media device 102 comprises a media contentstream interface 410, a processor system 412, a memory 414, a contentbuffer 416, an optional digital video recorder (DVR) 418, a presentationdevice interface 420, a remote interface 422, a communication networkinterface 424, and an optional local 3D printer interface 426. Thememory 414 comprises portions for storing the media device logic 428,the electronic program guide (EPG) information 430, an optional browser432, 3D printer logic 434, printable 3D image processing logic 436, andan optional 3D model catalogue 438. In some embodiments, the mediadevice logic 428, the browser 432, the 3D printer logic 434, and/or theprintable 3D image processing logic 436 may be integrated together,and/or may be integrated with other logic. In other embodiments, some orall of these memory and other data manipulation functions may beprovided by using a remote server or other electronic devices suitablyconnected via the Internet or otherwise to a client device. Other mediadevices 102 may include some, or may omit some, of the above-describedmedia processing components. Further, additional components notdescribed herein may be included in alternative embodiments.

The functionality of the media device 102, here a set top box, is nowbroadly described. In a satellite broadcast system, a media contentprovider provides media content that is received in one or more mediacontent streams 124 multiplexed together in one or more transportchannels. The transport channels with the media content streams 124 arecommunicated to the media device 102 from a media system sourced from aremote head end facility (such as the media content broadcast facility122 of FIG. 1) operated by the media content provider. The media device102 is configured to receive one or more broadcasted satellite signalsdetected by the receiver antenna 138. Non-limiting examples of othermedia systems that broadcast a media content stream 124 include a cablesystem 144, an OTA system 140 that utilizes a radio frequency (RF)communication system, and the Internet (that utilized a portion of thecommunication system 108).

The one or more media content streams 124 are received by the mediacontent stream interface 410. One or more tuners 410 a in the mediacontent stream interface 410 selectively tune to one of the mediacontent streams 124 in accordance with instructions received from theprocessor system 412. The processor system 412, executing the mediadevice logic 428 and based upon a request for a media content event ofinterest specified by a user, parses out media content associated withthe media content event of interest. The media content event of interestis then assembled into a stream of video and/or audio information whichmay be stored by the content buffer 416 such that the media content canbe streamed out to components of the media presentation system 104, suchas the visual display device 402 and/or the audio presentation device404, via the presentation device interface 420. Alternatively, oradditionally, the parsed out media content may be saved into the DVR 418for later presentation. The DVR 418 may be directly provided in, locallyconnected to, or remotely connected to, the media device 102. Inalternative embodiments, the media content streams 124 may stored forlater decompression, processing and/or decryption.

From time to time, information populating the EPG information 430portion of the memory 414 is communicated to the media device 102, viathe media content stream 124 or via another suitable media. The EPGinformation 430 portion of the memory 414 stores the informationpertaining to the scheduled programming of a plurality of media contentevents. The information may include, but is not limited to, a scheduledpresentation start and/or end time, a program channel, and descriptiveinformation for the plurality of media content events. The program'sdescriptive information may include the title of the media contentevent, names of performers or actors, date of creation, and a summarydescribing the nature of the media content event. Any suitableinformation may be included in the program's supplemental information,including an indication that 3D printable models (and/or 3D printablemodel data) associated with a particular media content event areavailable to the user. Upon receipt of a command from the userrequesting presentation of an EPG display, the information in the EPGinformation 430 portion of the memory 414 is retrieved, formatted, andthen presented on the display 406 as an EPG.

As noted above, one or more 3D printable models and/or 3D printablemodel data may be communicated to and then stored in the 3D modelcatalogue 438. Such 3D printable models and/or 3D printable model datamay be communicated to and stored by the media device 102 in a mannersimilar to, or the same as, used for the distribution of EPG informationto the media device 102. When the printed 3D object corresponding to thephysical object of interest is to be manufactured, the media device 102communicates the 3D printable model data to the designated 3D printers112, 114 with instructions to manufacture the printed 3D object.Alternatively, if a designated remote 3D printer 114 is used, the remote3D model site 106 communicates the 3D printable model data directly todesignated remote 3D printer 114 with instructions to manufacture theprinted 3D object.

The exemplary media device 102 is configured to receive commands from auser via a remote control 440. The remote control 440 includes one ormore controllers 442 disposed on the surface of the remote control 440.The user, by actuating one or more of the controllers 442, causes theremote control 440 to generate and transmit commands, via a wirelesssignal 444, to the media device 102. Preferably, each individual one ofthe controllers 442 has a specific predefined function that causes aspecific operation by the media device 102 and/or by components of themedia presentation system 104. For example, one of the controllers maybe configured to access and present the example GUI 202 (FIG. 2A),and/or navigate about the GUI 202. The commands communicated from theremote control 440 then control the media device 102 and/or controlcomponents of the media presentation system 104. The wireless signal 444may be an infrared (IR) signal or a radio frequency (RF) signal that isdetectable by the remote interface 422.

As noted above, a user (not shown) may view and see a list of various 3Dprintable models and/or 3D printable model data that is compatible withthe 3D printers 112, 114 that the user has access to. That is, basedupon the user commands, typically generated at and transmitted from theremote control 440 as the wireless signal 444 that is received by theremote interface 422, the media device 102 can then control itselfand/or other various media devices that it is communicatively coupled toobtain and/or manage available 3D printable models and/or 3D printablemodel data, and/or to initiate the manufacturing process of printed 3Dobject of interest.

The processes performed by the media device 102 relating to theprocessing of the received media content stream 124 and communication ofa presentable media content event to the components of the mediapresentation system 104 are generally implemented by the processorsystem 412 while executing the media device logic 428. Thus, the mediadevice 102 may perform a variety of functions related to the processingand presentation of one or more media content events received in themedia content stream 124.

When the user is viewing a presented media content event, and becomesaware of a physical object (that is, views an image of a physical objectin a scene of the presented media content event), the user may initiatethe process of acquiring a 3D printable model and/or the 3D printablemodel data that is associated with the viewed physical object. Theprocesses performed by the media device 102 relating to acquiring a 3Dprintable model, acquiring the associated 3D printable model data,and/or initiating manufacture of the associated printed 3D object, aregenerally implemented by the processor system 412 while executing the 3Dprinter logic 434.

In an example embodiment, acquired 3D printable models and/or acquired3D printable model data is optionally saved into the 3D model catalogue438. The 3D model catalogue 438 may be organized and maintained similarto the above-described 3D model catalogue 304 (FIG. 3).

In an example embodiment, one of the controllers 442 may be predefinedto initiate the process of acquiring the 3D printable models and/or 3Dprintable model data, and/or for initiating the manufacture of a printed3D object associated with a viewed physical object. When the useractuates the designated controller 442, a first example embodimentoptionally pauses the presentation of the media content event, capturesan image (a still image or a short video clip) of the currentlypresenting scene of the media content event, and generates the initialuser request that is communicated to the remote 3D model site 106. Thecommunicated initial user request may include the capture of an imagethat shows the physical object of interest. Then, the remote 3D modelsite 106 may identify the physical object of interest and start theprocess of identifying candidate 3D printable models and/or 3D printablemodel data that is compatible for use with the 3D printers 112, 114 thatthe user has access to. Meanwhile, presentation of the media contentevent to the user continues.

In an alternative embodiment, the optional printable 3D image processinglogic 436 is retrieved and executed by the processor system 412 toidentify the physical object of interest from the capture image of thecurrent scene. Then, the initial user request is generated andcommunicated to the remote 3D model site 106. Here, the physical objectof interest has been identified by the printable 3D image processinglogic 436. The identification information that identifies the physicalobject of interest is then included in the communicated initial userrequest.

In some embodiments, the media device 102 may have an optional imagecapture system (ICS) 446. The ICS 446 may be any suitable system that isconfigured to capture a photograph and/or video by the user. In somesituations, the user may see a physical object of interest, capture animage of the physical object of interest (a still image, multiple stillimages, and/or a video clip), and then communicate the captured image(s)to the remote 3D model site 106. The remote 3D model site 106 may thenattempt to identify the physical object of interest shown in theimage(s). If the physical object of interest can be identified, theninformation corresponding to the identified candidate available 3Dprintable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) may becommunicated to the media device 102 (and/or to another media device102).

In some instances, the remote 3D model site 106 may not be able toidentify any available 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printablemodel data) that are associated with the physical object of interestshown in the captured image(s). A request may then be sent to a modeldeveloper organization or individual for development of one or more 3Dprintable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) that areassociated with the identified physical object of interest. In somesituations, if a relatively large number of model requests are receivedfrom different users, new and/or very detailed 3D printable models(and/or the 3D printable model data) may be developed for sale or othercommercial reasons.

In some embodiments, a learning algorithm in the 3D printer logic 434filters or limits the number of printing options 204 presented on theGUI 202 of FIG. 2A. Based on the user's prior choices to use aparticular one of the available 3D printers 112, 114, the learningalgorithm may then limit the indication of candidate available 3Dprintable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) to the user basedon the user's prior preferences for particular 3D printers 112, 114.

Alternatively, or additionally, the learning algorithm may be configuredto learn the user's preferences for the type of printed 3D objects. Forexample, the user may prefer simple and/or relatively small printed 3Dobjects, such as when toys for a child are printed based on ananimation-based media content event. Thus, relatively complex and/orlarge detailed available 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printablemodel data) are not typically presented to the user based on the user'slearned preference for simple and/or relatively small printed 3Dobjects. Conversely, the user may prefer complex, detailed, and/orrelatively large printed 3D objects, such as when the user is a hobbyistand is collecting detailed models of physical objects of interest fortheir collection. Thus, relatively simple and/or small available 3Dprintable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) are not presentedto the user based on the user's learned preference for complex,detailed, and/or relatively large printed 3D objects.

Alternatively, or additionally, the learning algorithm may be configuredto learn the user's preferences based on the cost of available 3Dprintable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) and/or the cost ofprinted 3D objects. For example, the user may prefer less expensiveprinted 3D objects, such as when toys for a child are printed based onan animation-based media content event. Thus, relatively expensiveavailable 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printable model data) arenot presented to the user based on the user's learned preference forcheaper 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printable model data).Conversely, the user may prefer more expensive available 3D printablemodels (and/or the 3D printable model data) and/or printed 3D objects.Thus, relatively less expensive options are not presented to the userbased on the user's learned preference for the more expensive options.

In some embodiments, the remote 3D model site 106 and/or the mediadevice 102 are operable to automatically make modifications and/oradjustments to a particular available 3D printable model (and/or the 3Dprintable model data) that the user has selected. Alternatively, themodification may be made under the direction of the user who isproviding specific modification instructions via their media device 102and/or another suitable user interface device.

For example, the size and/or resolution of the printed 3D object may bescaled (an increase or decrease in size) from the initial size of theprinted 3D object when manufactured in accordance with the originalavailable 3D printable model (and/or the 3D printable model data). Thatis, the size and/or resolution of the printed 3D object may be changedfrom a first size and/or resolution to a different size and/orresolution of interest. Thus, when size is modified, the 3D printablemodel data would be scaled in accordance with a user instruction thatindicates a scaling level that is to be applied to the data. Themodification may be specified by the user, or may be automaticallymodified by the media device 102 or the remote 3D model site 106 basedon learned user preferences and/or based on the 3D printers 112, 114that the user will be using to manufacture the printed 3D object. Forexample, a user-selected 3D printer 112, 114 may have a size limit forprinted 3D objects that it can manufacture. Here, the size of theprinted 3D object specified by the original 3D printable model (and/orthe 3D printable model data) may be scaled down (reduced) so as to fitthe size limitations of the selected 3D printer 112, 114. Similarly,resolution of the printed 3D object may be reduced when the selected 3Dprinter 112, 114 is limited in the degree of resolution of a printed 3Dobject that it is able to manufacture.

Alternatively, or additionally, color changes to the printed 3D objectmay be made by the user. Here, the user may specify specific colors tobe used for the printed 3D object and/or selected portions of theprinted 3D object using their media device 102. In an exampleembodiment, the user is presented an image, or multiple images, of theprinted 3D object as if manufactured in accordance with the unmodified3D printable model (and/or the 3D printable model data). The user isthen permitted to select portions of the image of the physical object ofinterest, and then specify a change in color that is to be used duringmanufacture of the printed 3D object. Or, the user may change the colorof the entire printed 3D object that is to be manufactured. For example,a user-selected 3D printer 112, 114 may have a limited number of and/orshades of color that are available for printed 3D objects that it canmanufacture. Here, the colors of the printed 3D object specified by theoriginal 3D printable model (and/or the 3D printable model data) may bemodified so as to conform to the color limitations of the selected 3Dprinter 112, 114.

Alternatively, or additionally, some available 3D printable models(and/or the 3D printable model data) may provide for external componentsand/or for internal components. If the selected 3D printer 112, 114 isnot configured to manufacture external components and/or internalcomponents, the media device 102 and/or the remote 3D model site 106 mayautomatically modify the original 3D printable model (and/or the 3Dprintable model data) so as to conform to the limitations of theselected 3D printer 112, 114. Alternatively, or additionally, the usermay modify the original 3D printable model (and/or the 3D printablemodel data) to selectively exclude one or more external componentsand/or internal components, particularly if such modifications reducethe cost of the printed 3D object.

After the manufacture of a printed 3D object, some embodiments areconfigured to report the manufacture of the printed 3D object to theremote 3D model site 106 and/or to another remote site, preferably viathe communication system 108. If the printed 3D object is manufacturedby a remote 3D printer 114, then the information may be communicatedfrom there. Communicated information may include information thatidentifies the particular 3D printable model (and/or the 3D printablemodel data) used to manufacture the printed 3D object. The informationmay be used to identify the user. The information may be used forfurther marketing to other users. If many instances are reported fromdifferent users, additional or alternative 3D printable models (and/orthe 3D printable model data) may be developed. Other 3D printable models(and/or the 3D printable model data) for related objects of interest maybe developed. For example, when there is a high degree of user interestfor one or more physical objects of interest shown in a particular mediacontent event, 3D printable models (and/or the 3D printable model data)may be developed for other physical objects (actors, structures,vehicles, etc.) also shown in the media content event.

Cost information to acquire the particular 3D printable model (and/orthe 3D printable model data) and/or to manufacture the printed 3D objectmay optionally be reported to the remote 3D model site 106 and/or toanother remote site. Thus, fess collected may be shared among interestedparties, such as the developers of the particular 3D printable model(and/or the 3D printable model data) and/or the marketers who marketedthe particular 3D printable model (and/or the 3D printable model data).

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of themedia content and 3D printing system 100 are merely possible examples ofimplementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications maybe made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thisdisclosure and protected by the following claims.

1. A media device, comprising: a presentation device interface that iscommunicatively coupled to a display, wherein the presentation deviceinterface communicates a media content stream to the display so that avisual portion of a media content event is presented on the display to auser, wherein the media content event includes a trigger embedded in themedia content stream at a predefined location that corresponds to a timeof presentation of a physical object that is associated with thetrigger, and wherein the trigger includes presentable triggerinformation that identifies the physical object that is being shown onthe display to the user; a communication network interface thatcommunicatively couples the media device to a 3D printer that is used tomanufacture 3D printed objects; and a processor system that iscommunicatively coupled to the presentation device interface and to thecommunication network interface, wherein the processor system isconfigured to: communicate the trigger information to the display inresponse to receiving the trigger in the media content stream so thatthat trigger information is presented on the display to the user; andreceive a user request while the trigger information is being presentedon the display, wherein the user request indicates that the user wishesto acquire a 3D printed object corresponding to the physical object thatis being presented on the display, wherein 3D printable model datacorresponding to the physical object shown in the media content eventthat is associated with the trigger is communicated to the 3D printer toinitiate a manufacture of the 3D printed object in response to receivingthe user request.
 2. The media device of claim 1, wherein the triggerincludes information corresponding to one of an icon or a visual graphicelement that is shown on the display, and wherein the icon or the visualgraphic element presents visual information to the user that identifiesthe physical object so that the user understands that there is at leastone 3D printable model that is available for printing a 3D printedobject that represents the physical object.
 3. The media device of claim2, wherein the processor system is further configured to: concurrentlypresent the trigger information on the display with a continuingpresentation of the media content event, wherein the trigger informationis presented for at least the duration that the physical object isvisible on the display.
 4. The media device of claim 2, wherein theprocessor system is further configured to: pause presentation of themedia content event while the trigger information is presented on thedisplay, wherein presentation of the trigger information ends after apredefined duration or in response to receiving the user request, andwherein presentation of the media content event resumes in response toending presentation of the trigger information.
 5. The media device ofclaim 1, wherein the user request is generated by a remote control thatis in communication with the media device.
 6. The media device of claim1, wherein the communication network interface communicatively couplesthe media device to a remote 3D model site via a communication system,and wherein the processor system is further configured to: communicateinformation corresponding to the user request to the remote 3D modelsite via the communication network interface in response to receivingthe user request; receive the 3D printable model data from the remote 3Dmodel site in response to communicating the user request to the remote3D model site; and communicate the received 3D printable model data fromthe media device to the 3D printer to initiate the manufacture of the 3Dprinted object that represents the physical object.
 7. The media deviceof claim 6, further comprising a memory that stores at least thereceived 3D printable model data, wherein the processor system isfurther configured to: receive a user confirmation after the 3Dprintable model data has been stored in the memory, wherein the userconfirmation confirms that the user wishes to acquire the 3D printedobject that represents the physical object that was presented on thedisplay when the trigger received; and retrieve the 3D printable modeldata from the memory for communication to the 3D printer to initiate themanufacture of the 3D printed object using the 3D printer.
 8. The mediadevice of claim 6, wherein the processor system is further configuredto: receive a plurality of different 3D printable models from the remote3D model site in response to communicating the user request to theremote 3D model site, wherein each of the plurality of different 3Dprintable models correspond to the physical object shown in the mediacontent event that is associated with the trigger, and wherein each ofthe plurality of different 3D printable models are associated with 3Dprintable model data that can be used to print a unique 3D printedobject that represents the physical object; communicate a graphical userinterface (GUI) to the display in response to receiving the plurality ofdifferent 3D printable models, wherein the presented GUI presents imagescorresponding to each of the plurality of 3D printable models; andreceive a user selection, via the presented GUI, of one of the pluralityof different 3D printable models, wherein the 3D printable model dataassociated with the selected 3D printable model is used by the 3Dprinter to print the user selected unique 3D printed object.
 9. Themedia device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of different 3D printablemodels comprises a first plurality of 3D printable models and a secondplurality of 3D printable models, wherein the first plurality of 3Dprintable models are suitable for printing using a first type of 3Dprinter, and wherein the second plurality of 3D printable models aresuitable for printing using a second type of 3D printer that isdifferent from the first type of 3D printer, wherein the processorsystem is further configured to: determine that the 3D printer that iscommunicatively coupled to the media device is of the first type of 3Dprinter, wherein the presented GUI presents images corresponding to eachof the first plurality of 3D printable models, and wherein the presentedGUI omits images corresponding to each of the second plurality of 3Dprintable models.
 10. The media device of claim 1, wherein thecommunication network interface communicatively couples the media deviceto a remote 3D model site via a communication system, and wherein theprocessor system is further configured to: communicate informationcorresponding to the user request to the remote 3D model site via thecommunication network interface in response to receiving the userrequest, wherein the remote 3D model site communicates the 3D printablemodel data to the 3D printer in response to receiving the informationcorresponding to the user request, and wherein the 3D printer toinitiates the manufacture of the 3D printed object that represents thephysical object in response to receiving the 3D printable model datafrom the remote 3D model site.
 11. The media device of claim 10, whereinthe processor system is further configured to: receive 3D modelinformation corresponding to a plurality of different 3D printablemodels from the remote 3D model site in response to communicating theinformation corresponding to the user request to the remote 3D modelsite, wherein each of the plurality of different 3D printable modelscorrespond to the physical object shown in the media content event thatis associated with the trigger, and wherein each of the plurality ofdifferent 3D printable models are associated with 3D printable modeldata that can be used to print a unique 3D printed object thatrepresents the physical object; communicate a graphical user interface(GUI) to the display in response to receiving the plurality of different3D printable models, wherein the presented GUI presents imagescorresponding to each of the plurality of 3D printable models; receive auser selection, via the presented GUI, of one of the plurality ofdifferent 3D printable models; and communicate information correspondingto the user selection to the remote 3D model site in response toreceiving the user selection of one of the plurality of different 3Dprintable models, wherein the 3D printable model data identified in theuser selection is communicated from the remote 3D model site to the 3Dprinter to print the 3D printed object.
 12. The media device of claim 1,wherein the 3D printer is one of a local 3D printer and a remote 3Dprinter, wherein the media device further comprises a printer interfacethat is communicatively coupled to the processor system and thatcommunicatively couples the media device directly to the local 3Dprinter, and wherein the processor system is further configured to:receive a user selection that selects one of the local 3D printer andthe remote 3D printer to be used to print the 3D printed object thatrepresents the physical object; communicate information corresponding tothe user selection to the remote 3D model site; receive the 3D printablemodel data from the remote 3D model site when the user selection selectsthe local 3D printer; and communicate, via the printer interface, thereceived 3D printable model data to the local 3D printer; wherein the 3Dprintable model data is communicated from the remote 3D model site tothe remote 3D printer when the second user selection selects the remote3D printer, and wherein the selected local 3D printer or the remote 3Dprinter that receives the 3D printable model data initiates themanufacture of the 3D printed object in response to receiving the 3Dprintable model data.
 13. The media device of claim 1, wherein the 3Dprinter is one of a local 3D printer and a remote 3D printer, whereinthe media device further comprises a printer interface that iscommunicatively coupled to the processor system and that communicativelycouples the media device directly to the local 3D printer, wherein thecommunication network interface communicatively couples the remote 3Dprinter to the media device via a communication system, and wherein theprocessor system is further configured to: receive a user selection thatselects one of the local 3D printer and the remote 3D printer to be usedto print the 3D printed object that represents the physical object;communicate, via the printer interface, the 3D printable model data tothe local 3D printer when the user selection selects the local 3Dprinter; and communicate, via the communication network interface, the3D printable model data to the remote 3D printer when the user selectionselects the remote 3D printer, wherein the selected local 3D printer orthe remote 3D printer that receives the 3D printable model datainitiates the manufacture of the 3D printed object in response toreceiving the 3D printable model data.
 14. The media device of claim 1,further comprising a memory that stores at least the received 3Dprintable model data, wherein after receiving the user request thatindicates that the user wishes to acquire the 3D printed objectcorresponding to the physical object shown in the media content eventthat is associated with the trigger, the processor is further configuredto: store the user request in the memory; present a confirmationgraphical user interface (GUI) after the conclusion of presentation ofthe media content event, wherein the confirmation GUI presentsinformation corresponding to the stored user request; and receive a userconfirmation via the confirmation GUI, wherein the user confirmationconfirms that the user still wishes to acquire the 3D printed objectcorresponding to the physical object that was being presented on thedisplay when the trigger information was presented, wherein the 3Dprintable model data that initiates the manufacture of the 3D printedobject corresponding to the physical object is communicated to the 3Dprinter in response to receiving the user confirmation.
 15. A methodperformed at a media device, comprising: receiving a streaming mediacontent event that includes a trigger embedded in the media contentevent at a predefined location that corresponds to a time ofpresentation of an image of a physical object that is shown in the mediacontent event; communicating the media content event to a display sothat a visual portion of the media content event is presented on thedisplay to a user; receiving the trigger in the streaming media contentevent, wherein the trigger includes presentable trigger information thatidentifies the physical object shown in the visual portion of the mediacontent event that is being presented on the display to the user;communicating the presentable trigger information to the display inresponse to receiving the trigger in the media content event, whereinthe trigger information is presented on the display to the user, whereinthe trigger includes information corresponding to one of an icon or avisual graphic element that is shown on the display, and wherein theicon or the visual graphic element presents visual information to theuser that identifies the physical object so that the user understandsthat there is at least one 3D printable model that is available forprinting a 3D printed object that represents the physical object; andreceiving a user request while the trigger information is beingpresented on the display, wherein the user request indicates that theuser wishes to acquire a 3D printed object corresponding to the physicalobject that is being presented on the display, wherein 3D printablemodel data is communicated to the 3D printer to initiate a manufactureof the 3D printed object corresponding to the physical object shown inthe media content event that is associated with the trigger.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising: concurrently presenting thetrigger information and the media content event on the display during acontinuing presentation of the media content event, wherein the triggerinformation is presented for at least the duration that the physicalobject is visible on the display.
 17. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: pausing presentation of the media content event while thetrigger information is presented on the display; ending presentation ofthe trigger information after a predefined duration or in response toreceiving the user request; and resuming presentation of the mediacontent event in response to ending presentation of the triggerinformation.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the media device iscommunicatively coupled to a remote 3D model site via a communicationsystem, the method further comprising: communicating informationcorresponding to the user request to the remote 3D model site via thecommunication system in response to receiving the user request;receiving, at the media device, 3D printable model data from the remote3D model site in response to communicating the information correspondingto the user request to the remote 3D model site; and communicating thereceived 3D printable model data to the 3D printer to initiate themanufacture of the 3D printed object that represents the physicalobject.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the media device iscommunicatively coupled to a remote 3D model site via a communicationsystem, the method further comprising: communicating informationcorresponding to the user request to the remote 3D model site via thecommunication system in response to receiving the user request, whereinthe remote 3D model site communicates the 3D printable model data to the3D printer in response to receiving the information corresponding to theuser request, and wherein the 3D printer to initiates the manufacture ofthe 3D printed object that represents the physical object in response toreceiving the 3D printable model data from the remote 3D model site. 20.The method of claim 15, wherein the media device is communicativelycoupled to a remote 3D model site via a communication system, the methodfurther comprising: receiving information corresponding to a pluralityof different 3D printable models from the remote 3D model site inresponse to communicating the information corresponding to the userrequest to the remote 3D model site, wherein each of the plurality ofdifferent 3D printable models correspond to the physical object shown inthe media content event that is associated with the trigger, and whereineach of the plurality of different 3D printable models are associatedwith 3D printable model data that can be used to print a unique 3Dprinted object that represents the physical object; communicating agraphical user interface (GUI) to the display in response to receivingthe plurality of different 3D printable models, wherein the presentedGUI presents the received information corresponding to each of theplurality of 3D printable models; and receiving a user selection, viathe presented GUI, of one of the plurality of different 3D printablemodels, wherein the 3D printable model data associated with the selected3D printable model is used by the 3D printer to print the user selectedunique 3D printed object.
 21. The method of claim 15, wherein the 3Dprinter is one of a local 3D printer and a remote 3D printer, andwherein the media device is directly coupled to the local 3D printer,the method further comprising: receive a user selection that selects oneof the local 3D printer and the remote 3D printer to be used to printthe 3D printed object that represents the physical object; communicatinginformation corresponding to the user selection to the remote 3D modelsite; and receiving the 3D printable model data from the remote 3D modelsite when the user selection selects the local 3D printer, wherein the3D printable model data is communicated from the media device to thelocal 3D printer, wherein the 3D printable model data is communicatedfrom the remote 3D model site to the remote 3D printer when the userselection selects the remote 3D printer, and wherein the selected local3D printer or the remote 3D printer that receives the 3D printable modeldata initiates the manufacture of the 3D printed object in response toreceiving the 3D printable model data.
 22. The method of claim 15,wherein after receiving the user request that indicates that the userwishes to acquire the 3D printed object corresponding to the physicalobject shown in the media content event that is associated with thetrigger, the processor is further configured to: storing the userrequest in a memory of the media device; presenting a confirmationgraphical user interface (GUI) after the conclusion of presentation ofthe media content event, wherein the confirmation GUI presentsinformation corresponding to the stored user request; and receiving auser confirmation via the confirmation GUI, wherein the userconfirmation confirms that the user still wishes to acquire the 3Dprinted object corresponding to the physical object that was beingpresented on the display when the trigger information was presented,wherein the information to initiate the manufacture of the 3D printedobject corresponding to the physical object is communicated to the 3Dprinter in response to receiving the user confirmation.
 23. A remotethree dimensional (3D) model site that provides information formanufacturing printed 3D objects corresponding to physical objects ofinterest shown in a media content event that have been viewed by a user,wherein at least one three dimensional (3D) printer that is accessibleby the user of a media device is operable to manufacture the printed 3Dobjects, wherein the remote 3D model site is communicatively coupled tothe media device via a communication system, the remote 3D model sitecomprising: a physical object identification system that identifies thephysical object of interest from the information based on a receivedinitial user request from the media device; and a 3D printable modeldata storage medium that stores a plurality of 3D model data that eachcorrespond to one of a plurality of different physical objects and oneof a plurality of types of 3D printers, wherein the remote 3D model siteis operable to identify at least one 3D printable model that is storedin the 3D printable model data storage medium based on the identifiedphysical object of interest that can be used to manufacture a printed 3Dobject corresponding to the identified physical object of interestviewed by the user of the media device.
 24. The system of claim 23,wherein the initial user request includes information to identify atleast one of the media device or to identify the user viewing the mediacontent event being presented by the media device; wherein the remote 3Dmodel site is further operable to identify, based on the identified atleast one of the media device or the user, a plurality of 3D printersthat are accessible by the user to manufacture the printed 3D object,wherein the remote 3D model site is further operable to identify aplurality of different format 3D printable models that correspond to theidentified physical object of interest that has been viewed by the userin the presented media content event, and wherein each one of theplurality of different format 3D printable models uniquely correspond toone of the identified plurality of 3D printers that are accessible bythe user.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein information correspondingto the plurality of different format 3D printable models is communicatedfrom the remote 3D model site to the media device, wherein media devicepresents information to the user that identifies the plurality ofdifferent format 3D printable models and the corresponding one of theplurality of 3D printers that are accessible by the user, wherein themedia device is operable to receive a user selection of a 3D printablemodel from one of the plurality of different format 3D printable models,and wherein 3D printable model data corresponding to the user selectedone of the plurality of different format 3D printable models iscommunicated to the 3D printer that is associated with the selected 3Dprintable model.